The Portland Thorns came up short in their 2-1 loss to Angel City Saturday night. The loss eliminates the Thorns from playoff contention in the NWSL Challenge Cup. Portland currently sits third in their pool with an overall record of 2-3-0 in the group stage.
The match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California started with Angel City gaining the early advantage. At 7:55, Jasmyne Spencer would receive a pass outside as Angel City looked to flip their direction of attack. From roughly 20 yards out, Spencer would send a ball inside the box from a wide angle. Savannah McCaskill would catch up to the ball and connect on a header just before reaching the Goal Area line. Portland goalkeeper Bella Bixby would dive to try and make the save. Her gloves would get a piece of the ball, but the header was too fast and the ball would strike the back of the net. McCaskill’s goal in the 9th minute would give Angel City an early 1-0 lead.
Late in the first half, the Thorns would find their equalizer. On the rush, Hannah Betfort would pass the ball to her right, finding Natalia Kuikka at the top of the box. Kuikka then immediately passed the ball across the box to Morgan Weaver. Weaver would settle the ball down, then fire a right-footed shot towards the far post. Weaver’s shot would curl back inside, and stay just out of reach of Angel City’s goalkeeper, Angelina Anderson. Weaver’s goal in the 44th minute would tie the game at 1-1.
Unfortunately for Portland, momentum was still in Angel City’s favor. Within two minutes into the second half, Angel City earned a free kick from just above the penalty arch. Savannah McCaskill lined up for the kick as the Thorns lined up a defensive wall in the center of the box. McCaskill’s kick was a shot that was expertly placed toward the right post. The ball would stay just out of reach of Bella Bixby and still curl back just inside the post to give McCaskill a brace and Angel City the 2-1 lead.
Portland had a few chances to tie the game as the half went on. Olivia Moultrie in particular had two A-grade chances in the 84th minute of play. Her first chance came on a penalty kick, that Anderson stopped with a diving save low to her right side. Anderson also smothered the ball so there was no chance of a rebound.
Moultrie’s second opportunity came just 42 seconds later. On the rush, a perfect pass between defenders from the left penalty box line would find Moultrie on the run. Moultrie would one time a right-footed shot towards the near post. However, the glove of Anderson would just barely force the ball beyond the post and keep Angel City FC in the lead.
Despite ten minutes of added stoppage time, Angel City’s defense held strong and denied Portland’s comeback. The final score would remain, Angel City 2, Portland 1.
Although the Thorns are eliminated from playoff contention in the Challenge Cup, they still have one last match to play to round out their group stage. Their final pool play match is Sunday, August 6, on the road against the OL Reign with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
Northwest Sports Desk 